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Firefighters start to halt spread Bonfire was likely cause of fire
(about 15 hours later)
Firefighters in St Ouen have managed to halt the main fire front that was being blown along the side of Val de la Mar towards the Parish of St Peter. Jersey fire service described the fire at Val de la Mar reservoir as the largest furze fire of the year.
The fire started at around 14:00 on 3 October and the area of burning now covers one square km. The Fire Service have said an initial investigation suggests it was caused by a bonfire that got out of control.
"It's not the biggest furze fire we've ever faced. Chief Fire Officer, Mark James, has called for islanders to be extra vigilant when having bonfires or disposing of cigarettes.
"But the terrain and the wind has meant that we've been dealing with many fire fronts all at the same time," said Martin Allix from the Fire Service. "The hedgerows and furze is very dry and at present there is a high risk of fires starting," Mark said.
The fire crews at the site have managed to save several properties in the area but a number of outbuildings and a garage have been damaged. "I would urge all Islander's to be extra vigilant and take extra care when disposing of cigarettes or having bonfires or barbecues.
ROADS CLOSED La Route de la MoulinLa Mont de la MareLe Chemin de la Mont de la MareLa Routé de la FountaineLa Route de la Presse Gallery: St Ouen fire spreads Gallery: Fire through the night ROADS CLOSED Gallery: St Ouen fire spreads Gallery: Fire through the night
Local residents are being removed from the area by the Honorary Police. "When a wildfire occurs in the countryside, the implications for the Fire and Rescue Service are great.
There are still furze, hedgerows and trees still burning. "We have a limited number of firefighters on the island and these types of fires require us to commit large numbers of our resources for days at a time.
A number of properties along La Route de la Presse have been evacuated due to the large volumes of smoke. "Although we are experienced and equipped to deal with these types of incident, our aim is to prevent fires before they start," Mark explained.
There are no reported injuries but the Ambulance Support Team have set up a rest area for the exhausted firefighters and crews are now being rotated at the scene to give them some rest. There are still a number of hotspots around the area that are continually flaring up due to the strong winds but the main fire has been put out.
Firefighting operations continue to be hampered by the strong winds and Firefighters are working hard in hazardous night time conditions to prevent further fire spread. "This incident has stretched the Service to its limit," said Chief Fire Officer Mark James.
The firefighters have five engines, two water carriers, a mobile water pump, the incident command vehicle and a number of off road vehicles on site. Overnight arrangements had to be made for two families that were evacuated from there homes in the area.
All available off duty Wholetime and Retained firefighters have been called in and the service is being assisted by Airport Firefighters and an Airport Foam Tender. The size of the fire meant that all of the islands full and part-time firefighters had to be called in to battle the blaze.
The furze fire, fanned by strong winds spread quickly towards several properties in the area. In addition the Airport Rescue and Firefighting Service specialist foam tender was used to drench the flames.
A number of roads in the area have been closed by the Police and members of the public are asked to avoid them. As well as the fire service, people from the community in the area also lent a hand with local farmers using their tractors and water bowsers.
The ambulance service are asking people living in western parishes to keep their windows closed. At the height of the fire, 45 firefighters, States and Honorary Police Officers, States Ambulance Officers and the Ambulance Support Unit were also at the scene.
The fire service expects to be on the scene throughout the night damping down the furze. The States of Jersey fire service have confirmed that an investigation into the cause of the fire will now be carried out.
The fire started at around 14:30 on 3 October and at its peak destroyed an area of around 200,000 sq metres.
"It's not the biggest furze fire we've ever faced. but the terrain and the wind has meant that we've been dealing with many fire fronts all at the same time," said Martin Allix, Fire Service Group Manager on site.
The fire crews at the site managed to save several properties in the area but a number of outbuildings and a garage have been damaged.
The States of Jersey Police are appealing for any information that might help them find out the cause of the furze fire.
If you have information you can call the police on 612612 or crime stoppers on 0800 555 111.
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YOUR COMMENTSYOUR COMMENTS
CathyCathy
The fire has taken hold considerably since this article. At 7pm the fire was past the dam and heading towards fields off Rue De La Presse. The dry conditions have proved ideal for the fire and a number of large oaks are also gone. They will be on site all night as the fire is certainly not contained yet.The fire has taken hold considerably since this article. At 7pm the fire was past the dam and heading towards fields off Rue De La Presse. The dry conditions have proved ideal for the fire and a number of large oaks are also gone. They will be on site all night as the fire is certainly not contained yet.
PerryPerry
Seems somewhat suspicious considering the weather in the Island today (ie. damp and most definitely not hot or sunny), and a furze fire - hhhmmnn...Seems somewhat suspicious considering the weather in the Island today (ie. damp and most definitely not hot or sunny), and a furze fire - hhhmmnn...
Regrettably, there are seemingly some sad individuals who appear to get a thrill from 'starting' fires. Whether todays fire is deliberate, remains to be seen.Regrettably, there are seemingly some sad individuals who appear to get a thrill from 'starting' fires. Whether todays fire is deliberate, remains to be seen.